Ministry of National Defense: The Philippines' self-directed and self-staged drama cannot shake China's firm resolve to defend its lawful rights and interests.

On the afternoon of March 18, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of National Defense’s spokesperson, released a statement on recent issues involving the military.

Reporter: According to reports, on March 7, when a Philippine Coast Guard reconnaissance aircraft carrying media reporters was patrolling near Huangyan Island, it was ordered off by Chinese warships via radio broadcast. In addition, the Philippine Coast Guard said it would strengthen patrols in the South China Sea, expand public outreach, continue to improve “transparency,” and counter what it called China’s bullying acts. What comments do you have on this?

Jiang Bin: China has an indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and reefs—including Huangyan Island—and over the waters adjacent thereto, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters. It is only proper for the Chinese side to carry out rights-protection and law-enforcement activities in waters under its own jurisdiction. As for the Philippine Coast Guard’s infringement and provocation, China’s response is professional, restrained, and lawful. Riding on the pretext of patrols to take reporters along, film videos, deliberately stir up trouble, and amplify a so-called “victim” narrative through the media—this is a playbook routinely used by the Philippines. As for the Philippines’ so-called “transparency” and “exposure,” what the world will see is not the true facts, but a self-scripted, self-staged farce. We are warning the Philippines that no matter how it edits the footage or fabricates lies, it cannot change the sovereignty over Huangyan Island and other South China Sea islands and reefs, nor can it shake China’s steadfast determination to safeguard its rights in accordance with law. For all acts of infringement and provocation, we will continue to take effective measures to respond. (Ministry of National Defense)